Sunday, September 23, 2012

But Officer It Was Pink

“If winning was easy, losers would do it” I had to laugh at this statement when I heard it again today, it was used on a commercial for Nascar touting how hard it is to win, and the things this particular driver does to keep his edge.

What is your definition of winning? When it comes to driving, are you one of those people who have to be the first one off the line when the light turns green, and do you have to pass the car ahead of you just because they are driving the speed limit, you know that it is an unwritten law that you are supposed to drive at least five miles over the speed limit or else be labeled a slow driver.

Since I mentioned traffic lights, what is your definition of the colors, does yellow actually mean caution, slow down, prepare to stop, and or just go ahead and stop, or does it mean “Floor It!” try and get through the intersection before the light turns red.

What exactly is a Pink Light? You know Pink, not exactly red it’s that color right between the yellow and red light, it flashes so fast most people don’t ever see it, so next time you get stopped for running a red light, just try and explain to the officer that you were not in the wrong because the light was actually pink.

If he argues with you, just tell him that it flashed pink so fast that he couldn’t see it, and furthermore the City should adjust their signals, if he buys this story and you get off with a warning, then count your lucky stars, and if you get an extra ticket for jerking his chain, don’t blame me, because this is not advice, this is just my observations on traffic signals, and the mostly unseen extra color.

Now back to passing cars, how slow does that car ahead have to be going for you to pass, does the speed limit constitute driving too slow, say the speed limit is 65mph and the car ahead of you is driving 64mph, how fast do you have to drive to actually pass this car?

But officer, I wasn’t speeding, I was just trying to get around that slow car, never mind that you were going 80 in a 65 and that car you were passing sped up just a bit as you pulled out, you know just to show you, I know you have either had this happen, known someone it has happened to, or have done it yourself.

And what do you do when you are driving down the road minding your own business, doing absolutely nothing wrong, when you see flashing lights on top of a police car on the other side of the road, this police officer is standing on the side of the road either writing a ticket, or hearing a tale of the infamous pink light syndrome that effects most cities.

The first thing you do is hit your brakes, then you may go so far as to turn down the radio, and stare into the rear view mirror so hard that it begins to fog over from your heavy breathing, you know this officer has to be looking directly at you, and will be coming after you as soon as he can get back to his car, you may not even be speeding but all the voices in your car come together in unison to yell out “Cop”

When we were returning from the trip to the zoo with the kids, we were following a van on the highway; this van was actually going the speed limit so Cindy was not too anxious to go around it, a car behind us began flashing his bright lights every so often, we were in a long line of traffic so passing was not going to happen easily, and pulling over for him would only leave us further behind on our schedule, so Cindy backed away from the van to give him room to pass just in case he wanted to try.

This guy was alternating between running with his bright lights on, his lights off, flashing his lights, then he pulled out to pass, his convertible sports car looked pretty impressive going around us so fast, not only did he pass us, he also passed the van and another car in front of the van, narrowly missing an oncoming car only to fall in behind the next group of cars to which he began the light flashing routine again, looks like he wanted to be the first one to town, the winner so to say.

The highway speed limit drops to 55 then down to 45 as you get into town, right at the forty five speed limit sign we see flashing lights, to which the whole back seat yells in unison “Cop”

Sitting there in front of the State Troopers car was that impressive looking convertible sports car, I can hear it now “But officer, I wasn’t really speeding I was passing that long line of cars” wonder how he explained the flashing headlights.

I just imagine that little ticket most likely cost him more than what we spent all day at the zoo, and another thing his driving style assured him of being the winner to town, and our driving the speed limit was going to get us there way after him, I think I know who won that little race.

30 comments:

  1. "I just imagine that little ticket most likely cost him more than what we spent all day at the zoo, and another thing his driving style assured him of being the winner to town, and our driving the speed limit was going to get us there way after him, I think I know who won that little race."

    Bravo, Jimmy! And you're right. I think I know who won that little race!!!!

    Reading this post reminded me of why I don't miss having a car and driving anymore because some people act crazy and dangerous behind the wheel.

    And yes, it used to freak me out whenever I was pulled over by a cop.

    "you do is hit your brakes, then you may go so far as to turn down the radio, and stare into the rear view mirror so hard that it begins to fog over from your heavy breathing"

    Exactly! You suddenly get so paranoid.

    " so next time you get stopped for running a red light, just try and explain to the officer that you were not in the wrong because the light was actually pink."

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! LOVED that!

    Grrrrrreat post, buddy!

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    1. Hey Ron, The older I get the less I care about driving, I do love road trips but most times I view from the passenger side :)

      Watching other drivers scare me to death at times, common sense would help a lot of drivers but sad to say that trait is not common anymore.

      Thank You Buddy I appreciate you.

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  2. It was JUSTICE! I'm a pretty defensive driver and there isn't much out there on the road that I let upset me. I just don't like the drama. Many years ago, we had a similar incident happen to us on the Pacific Coast Highway. A guy in a Corvette was doing the same thing as your guy. Honking, flashing his brights and making a general fool out of himself. He finally passed us all and we didn't give it much more thought. About 20 minutes later we caught up him. He had lost control and was wrapped around a telephone pole. He drove like a fool and paid for it with his life. I really don't get upset with other drivers unless they put my life in danger.

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    1. I was afraid this driver would end up the way your corvette driver did, he was actually lucky the State Trooper stopped him before he paid dearly with his life.

      Like you I don't worry too much unless they put my familys lives in danger.

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  3. My wife and son both work for the local police department and I have a problem with authority. Enough said, except that I have a lead foot.

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    1. I think we have the same situation here, most of our family members who work in law enforcement seem to be the ones with the lead feet Ha Ha

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  4. In my younger years you might have caught me speeding, not in my older years. I'm the one everyone passes, because I'm going the speed limit. Hubby hates traffic and school zones and will do most anything to avoid either. Not that long ago, he made the smart move to take a side street to avoid a school zone with a lot of cars going 20 mph. Right after turning on the side street, he got pulled over for doing 33 in a 20. He didn't know it was a school zone on that street, too. Unfortunately, ignorance is no excuse.

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    1. Hey Ms. A, I can see that happening, turn on a side street to miss the school zone and drive right into another, sometimes it's faster when you just stay on track, especially if you get stopped when you try to go around :)

      I don't worry too much about getting in a hurry anymore, they can pass me if they want I don't mind.

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  5. We seem to be driving alot lately since we have moved to the city!! Your so right about the highway and passing.. I hate to say it but I have to pass people going the speed limit...bad habit...One thing I notice driving in the city now...are the impatience people... if your not on your toes... you get the beep... if I'm not sure where I'm going and hesitate...boy do I get the glare... hopefully it makes me a more 'patient' driver:)))

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    1. I have noticed that myself since we moved to CA, it seems the light turns green and the horns begin honking at the same time, I see it as rude and it slows me down more than hurrying me along.

      Watching others bad habits have a tendency to make you more patient, I know this has been a big change for you, and you never know the horn honking may come natural to us one day Ha Ha

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  6. Great post, Jimmy, with amusing undertones to a serious subject.

    'looks like he wanted to be the first one to town'

    ..... or the graveyard!

    If someone hassles me like that I feather the brakes enough to make them think I'm slowing or stopping, it usually foxes them :O)

    Here we have an unwritten rule, carry on driving when the lights are on red, especially when someone is stuck in the middle of a junction, waiting to take a right turn.

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    1. Thank You Valerie, I am glad he got himself stopped rather than wrecked, I would hate to see anyone get themselves killed but many families lose members due to actions just like this.

      That is what Cindy did, slowed down just a bit to make it easier for him to go around, got him off our bumper anyway :^)

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  7. Those sorts drive me nuts. I especially love it when I'm going 10 mph above speed limit and someone is riding my bumper. What is wrong with people?

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    1. I don't understand the need to hurry like this myself Bijoux, how much faster do people actually get there by risking their lives like this, not fast enough to make it worth it.

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  8. Jimmy!!!!! You're back!!! I'm back!!!!! Let the party begin! Please tell me my namesake chicken is still around....

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    1. Hey Betty, Glad we both made it back from our breaks, time to get back to business, the party has now begun :)

      I hate to tell you that your namesake chicken checked out about two weeks ago, she was out best egg layer and for no apparent reason left us for that big chicken coop in the sky, she was one of a kind and the only chicken of ours that actually had a name.

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  9. I usually drive 5 mph over....I figure it's within the cop's margin of error. On the highway I usually use my cruise control. If someone is going the limit, and I see I'm coming up on them, I'll pass. As long as I can maintain spacing and still go 5 over, I'll fall in line and be happy. If I see a cop and I'm within my 5 mph zone I'll not even bother tapping the brakes. If anyone wants to pass me, they can have at it.

    My big quandry is what do you do when the flow of traffic is going, say, 10 mph over the limit? If you speed up to match them you're in danger of getting a ticket. If you don't speed up you're in danger of getting run over. I always think, " They can't get us all", but with my luck , they'll get ME.

    S

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    1. "They can't get us all", but with my luck , they'll get ME. this is why I usually stick with the five over, I have no problem with them passing me as long as they stay off my bumper.

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  10. I loathe those that pass me when I'm going the speed limit and they get all upset. Geez. Slow down and smell the pavement. And of course, slow and steady wins the race. :-)

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    1. Amen Angelia, how many times have you stopped at a red light right next to the guy who passed you like a maniac a few miles back Ha Ha

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  11. I love happy endings :).

    I personally don't like to drive, but do it out of necessity. Since I became a school crossing guard a year and a half ago, I'm much more aware of my behavior. My driving would probably be considered "conservative", my goal is not to be first, but to see if I can get a gajillion miles out of our cars!

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    1. I was happy to see that car sitting behind a patrol car, I figure he was asking for it.

      Conservative is my style of driving too, I was total opposite when I was younger and have a fear of getting myself or family hurt now, I guess with age comes wisdom, with some things anyway Ha Ha

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  12. I use to go airborne in my youth, but now I know that broken bones hurt and sometimes you die.

    I hate two things: Allowing a person to cut in front of me, and not getting a "wave" from him.

    A car sees me coming, there's no one behind me, and as soon as I get thisclose, they pull out in front of me.

    Stud believes a yellow light is reason to slam on the brakes. I believe Yellow is a courtesy light.

    IF I was driving in an emergency, I would pass you, the car in front of you, and Jesus on a bicycle, with my lights flashing. Otherwise, NO.

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    1. I wouldn't have a problem with someone passing me like this in an emergency situation, but an apparent act of aggression just because you can do it like this guy did is uncalled for.

      Yes the car that seems to wait for you to get close before pulling out burns me up too.

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  13. I settle in relatively comfortably at 5 mph over the speed limit. It is the middle road. I am not cursed at for driving too slow and not provoking attention by zipping past everyone.

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  14. Sounds like a good plan Jerry :^) too bad more people don't have this figured out.

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  15. About the only time I try to pass other drivers is if they are showing erratic behavior or stupidity. If they're weaving, swerving, or otherwise appear impaired, I try to get beyond them ASAP. Or if they obviously don't have any idea that there is four feet of room on their right side and they brake and swerve five feet to the left every time they pass a parked car. Stuff like that. Otherwise, I think I'm fairly placid as a driver.

    By the way, I see you added me to your blogroll. Thanks! I've returned the favor over at my place.

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    1. Yes Sir Jim, other people sure can scare you at times, the obviously impaired ones seem to never get themselves hurt but can cause others to hurt themselves, it's a good idea to get as far away from them as possible.

      Thank You for adding me to your blogroll I appreciate you.

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  16. Few things get my dander up when I'm behind the wheel, but I do say some decidedly unladylike words when I'm sitting at a green light, waiting to make a left hand turn, with a whole string of cars coming from the opposite direction, allegedly coming straight. NONE of them have a blasted turn signal flashing, so I have to wait... but then every darned one of them makes a left hand turn. I don't know why that bugs me so much, but it does. For the most part, my philosophy is that some rights are worth dying for, but the right of way ain't one of 'em. If somebody wants to cut me off or pass me like a bat out of hades, sobeit. But I must confess, in a scenario like you described with the guy acting like a general idiot, zooming around everyone as if he owned the road... if I see that guy on the side of the road with a police car behind him, I get a great deal of satisfaction out of that.

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    1. Hey Susan, I like what you said "some rights are worth dying for, but the right of way ain't one of 'em" kind of like the person in a parking lot walking out in front of a car, I don't care who has the right of way the car is a whole lot bigger.

      Seeing that car on side of the road getting himself wrote up did give me a feeling of satisfaction :)

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